Ahmed Shareef Chaudhry: Pak ISPR chief is the son of UN-designated terrorist

Ahmed Shareef Chaudhry, the Pakistani media face echoing the voice of the Pindi-based Pakistani force, is the son of Sultan Bashiruddin Mahmood, a man Pakistan hails as a nuclear scientist, but whose affiliations reveal a darker legacy, with being designated as a terrorist by the United Nations and the US.

Chaudhry is a three-star General in the Pakistan Army and currently serves as the 22nd Director General of the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).

Of late, he has become the principal spokesperson of the Rawalpindi-based military, frequently justifying its actions and its deep-rooted policy of sponsoring terrorism, and later, blatant aggression rather than merely explaining the acts.

Father builds extremist organisation

His father, Sultan Bashiruddin Mahmood, founded Ummah Tameer-e-Nau (UTN) in 1999—an extremist Islamic organisation that was banned and sanctioned by the United States in 2001. Although Pakistan celebrates Mahmood’s contributions to its nuclear programme, international agencies have long viewed him with grave concern.

UN sanctioned terrorist

Mahmood was listed and sanctioned by the United Nations’ Al-Qaida Sanctions Committee in December 2001. Additionally, he was designated a Specially Designated Global Terrorist by the US Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), which even listed his address as the Al-Qaeda safe house in Wazir Akbar Khan, Kabul.

Though Chaudhry continues to legitimise Pakistan’s radical actions through official narratives, his familial ties to global terror networks cannot be overlooked.

Mahmood shares nuclear knowledge with Al Qaeda

Two retired scientists from Pakistan’s Atomic Energy Commission, Mahmood and Chaudhri Abdul Majeed, both known for their Islamic fundamentalist views, shared basic nuclear knowledge with the terror group Al Qaeda, according to report.

According to a January 2016 report by the US Congressional Research Service (CRS) titled “Pakistan’s Nuclear Weapons,” the two men, under the banner of a so-called humanitarian group called Umma Tameer-e-Nau (UTN), provided assistance to Al Qaeda. This help was linked to weapons of mass destruction, though the exact nature and extent of the information they shared remain unclear.

Pakistan reportedly selling nuclear technology

Pakistan has a well-known history of nuclear proliferation, largely due to the secret activities of Abdul Qadeer Khan, who is often called their father of nuclear program.

In the early 2000s, Khan admitted to running an underground network that sold nuclear technology and equipment to countries like Iran, Libya, and North Korea.

This included sharing designs for centrifuges, uranium enrichment tools, and even nuclear warhead plans.

Reports also suggest that Pakistani scientists trained Iranian counterparts as early as the late 1980s. There were also claims of nuclear cooperation with Iran and exchanges of missile technology with North Korea.

His father, now reportedly living in anonymity in Islamabad, has authored several books on the supposed connection between Islam and science. Among his more bizarre and widely ridiculed claims is the idea that electricity can be generated by capturing djinns.

Father is close aide of Osama bin Laden

His father was close to Osama bin Laden and came under US scrutiny.

Pakistan remains an economic failure, producing little of significance, and its constant nuclear threats only strengthen its image as an irresponsible state. Recently, the world has been reminded of Pakistan’s involvement in numerous major terrorist attacks, from 9/11 to the London bombings and the Mumbai 26/11 attacks, further embarrassing Islamabad.

Pakistan has a well-known history of nuclear proliferation, largely due to the secret activities of Abdul Qadeer Khan, who is often called their father of nuclear program.

In the early 2000s, Khan admitted to running an underground network that sold nuclear technology and equipment to countries like Iran, Libya, and North Korea.

This included sharing designs for centrifuges, uranium enrichment tools, and even nuclear warhead plans.

Reports also suggest that Pakistani scientists trained Iranian counterparts as early as the late 1980s. There were also claims of nuclear cooperation with Iran and exchanges of missile technology with North Korea.

Pahalgam terror attack and links to Pakistan

India has accused Pakistan of having direct links to the 22 April Pahalgam terror attack, in which 26 people, mostly tourists, were brutally killed by Pakistan-based militants.

Pakistan’s long-standing policy of harbouring and weaponising terrorists as instruments of statecraft has once again come under international scrutiny.

In response, India launched a highly successful anti-terror operation, Operation Sindoor , on 7 May, targeting terror camps and infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.

Indian army’s precise attack on terror

The Indian Armed Forces carried out precision strikes on nine identified terror camps, including key locations and headquarters in Bahawalpur and Muridke, long-time strongholds of Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) and Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), respectively.

The operation employed advanced military assets including Rafale jets equipped with SCALP missiles and AASM Hammer bombs, BrahMos cruise missiles, and loitering munitions.

At a press briefing on Saturday, the Indian government said it does not seek escalation but will respond to any provocation.

At a  joint briefing  with the Ministry of Defence and Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, Wing Commander Vyomika Singh and Colonel Sofiya Qureshi said India has responded to all Pakistani military actions and that the armed forces are in a high state of operational readiness.